Winchie went back to his place. The conversation was wholly between the
two men, the subject being, of course, chemistry. After supper Courtney
pleaded a headache and, having uttered the formulas prescribed for the
parting and having heard from him the formulas embodying his part in
such an exchange, withdrew. Instead of being agitated, she was in truth
as calm as she seemed outwardly--and numb. She saw Winchie to bed,
occupied herself mechanically for an hour, then sat at one of the
windows of her front room looking out toward the lake. When she thought
at all, it was of trifles; most of the time, during those two hours of
waiting, she did not think, but listened to the beating of her blood as
it made the ringing in the ears that climaxes the oppression of an
intense silence.
At length Richard came up. He glanced in at her. "How's the headache?"
he inquired, laying a caressing hand on her shoulder.